October 21, 2013
Scotland

Anti-windfarm campaigners target SNP’s Perth conference

By Richard Burdge | The Courier | 21 October 2013 | www.thecourier.co.uk

As the most powerful politicians in Scotland gathered in Perth at the weekend hundreds of protesters voiced their opposition to windfarms.

Around 300 campaigners marched on the SNP conference venue on Saturday, claiming the Scottish Government’s policy is a “major rural vote-loser which threatens the independence vote”.

As Alex Salmond addressed delegates inside Perth Concert Hall on the countdown to the independence referendum, the protesters chanted and blew whistles to make their presence felt.

“He (Alex Salmond) is gambling with the rural vote for independence and he loses more supporters every day another windfarm is proposed,” claimed campaigner Graeme Steel.

“With seven new wind applications a day across Scotland, that is a lot of votes he is waving goodbye to.”

Held at bay from the conference by barriers and police officers, the good humoured protesters braved driving rain to make their point.

Earlier in the day other pressure groups descended on the concert hall in an effort to influence the politicians.

Environmental protesters built a model drilling rig across from the concert hall to highlight their concerns about proposed gas extraction in Scotland by fracking.

Friends of the Earth Scotland are calling for a ban on the controversial process which has been blamed for earth tremors and pollution.

The Scottish Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation also protested outside Perth Concert Hall.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/21/anti-windfarm-campaigners-target-snps-perth-conference/